, 1887-06-30
A FAMOUS WHEELMAN.
Thomas Stevens Interviewed by a
Leader Reporter. Y
Adventures in China, Asia, England
and America.
Bound for San Francisco to PrOpeI
the New Nautical Bicycle.

Thomas Stevens, ar ex-employe of the
Union Pacific rolling mills at Laramie,
who achieved an international reputation
by riding around the world on a bicycle,
was a %westbound passenger on Yesterdays
Omaha express.
A reporter of this paper, who had for
merly known Stevens IN Laramie, chatted
with the Flying Devil" as the Chinese
dubbed him, while the train lay here last
evening.
OF course the conversation was natu-
rally about Mr.. Stevens trip, concerning
which SO much has been written that the
subject is almost exhausted. The wheel
man said that, while the natives of China
and Asia were greatly astonished at his
appearance and mode of travel, and had
several times assaulted and nearly killed
him, that he had experienced equally ex-
citing adventures while riding through
portions of England, Europe and the
United States. At one time a Nevada
cowboy had pursued him nearly an entire
day, and several times emptied a six
shooter at the cyclist and his mount-al.
ways at a respectful distance, however.
At another time while travelling leisurely
along an Iowa turnpike a surprised and
startled granger had attempted to har-
pooh him with a pitchfork, and dis
charged about a pound of shot from an
old nusket as the wheelman disappeared
down the road. Even in the suburbs
of London" Mr.. Stevens said, the BIZ
cycle was evidently unknown. for the
farmers would often stone me. and never
failed to exhibit great astonishment at my
appearance. and on one occasion some
yeomanry detained me for two entire
days, and | was only released upon being
tried and acquitted on the charge of
witchcraft. Such ignorance as these peo-
pie displayed was surprising indeed to
an American. They couldn't understand
how a rider was enabled to balance him
self on the machine, and | spent a couple
of hours explaining to a magistrate in
Yorkshire that while one wire spoke was
apparently not very strong, that by com
bining a number they could be made to
carry a great weight.
Did you actually enjoy your trip ?"
asked the reporter.
Taken in its entirety L did, though it
was pretty rough at times. l tell you a
fellow wishes he was back home when a
couple of hundred Chinese or Afghans are
chasing him with the avowed purpose of
taking his life. On one occasion a Chinese
mandarin rescued me from a mob and
wanted to detain me for his own amuse-
ment. He fixed up a nice little cinder
path for me to speed on, and the first time
| gave an exhibition on that track I took
the worst header man ever experienced.
l was spinning along at a three minute
gait when l ran into a ditch which the old
heather had caused to be made on pur-
pose to see me fall. He didn't get done
smiling for two days. I cursed him loud
and long, but OF course he couldn't I'M
derstand it, and finally let me continue
my Journey. | will probably take a trip
through Old Mexico next winter as CORE
spondent of a New York daily. 1 hear
that the roads are good and the natives
docile in that country"
You are certainly not enroute for that
locality now ," inquired the man with the
note book.
You may not believe it," said Mr..
Stevens, but I'm going to San Francisco
to ride the new nautical bicycle, concern
ing which an article was recently pub
lished IN the Scientific American. 1 will
give two exhibitions daily in the bay near
the Cliff house. l have never tried the
new invention. but fail to see why it
should not operate all right; anyhow I'll
get well paid whether it does or not"
Stevens is a rather ordinary looking
person about medium height, and wears
a small dark moustache. He had travelled
extensively previous to his great tour, and
is quite well informed and intelligent.
Nof,ra nSuollv u,oLoa oo1o-. E-L.